The New York Giants and linebacker Arvell Reese agreed to a rookie contract on Friday, the team announced.
According to Art Stapleton of USA Today, Reese signed a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $47.8 million. His contract includes a $31.2 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option.
The 6’4″, 243-pound Reese was largely considered a top-two or top-three pick in this year’s NFL draft. The New York Jets, at No. 2, were long projected to select him or Texas Tech defensive star David Bailey.
The Jets took Bailey, but Reese fell to fifth after the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans took offensive players (Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, respectively).
The versatile Reese then fell to No. 5 for the New York Giants, where he’ll play inside linebacker.
Reese amassed 69 tackles (34 solo) and six-and-a-half sacks in 2025 en route to All-American honors. He was part of a superstar defense that allowed the fewest points per game (9.3) in Division I FBS last year.
Now he’ll try to help guide the Giants defense as Big Blue looks for big improvements under first-year head coach John Harbaugh, who takes over a team that’s won just seven games over the past two years.
